Down from the mountains now (eating from one end of San Francisco to the other).Pulled out at 18 days, 350ish kms.
One icy blast - the rest blue skies and superb September in the Sierras. Still the summer's wildflowers were out, cascades, waterfalls, streams and what seemed a million lakes were hypnotic after a wet early summer, rainbows, Spielbergesque snow flurries, cascades, eagles, deer ... and not so much as a blister.
Time, after about day 7 or 8, to let the mind freewheel, to muse on much, and not a lot of anything at all.
A perfect plod.
Every big walk brings its realisations, tangental ideas and rejuvenation as the trudging enables back rooms to open and creativity to seed - but this wander in what are surely some of the world's most inspiring vistas also came with a big green tick on my own recovery card.
This blog is peppered with references to the healing powers of the sea - but it's been in the mountains that quite literally I've found my feet again, and feeling hardy (though never again boyish invincible) for it.The falling down, the acceptance of absolute vulnerability and feebleness that goes with scalpel in skull, the hideous weakening of mind and erosion of fortitude that goes with each hospital visit; up and over and around mountains each day these past nearly three weeks was a rebuilding not merely of the calves and quads.
Solid and strong comes from the granite and shale hours; the endurance demanded by days of switchbacks also reconstructing a self image of enduring.
John Muirisms I am fond of articulate it far better than I ..
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks"
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
... a couple of fine crafted post plod ales in the autumnal Berkeley sun with Dave and news from Scotty, Sarina and Cailean of young Ash's arrival: it's a beautiful world ... again, and I'm standing sturdy in it ... again.
